Rays pitcher Jeremy Hellickson is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Saturday, perhaps paving the way for his return to the big leagues in June after arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow earlier this year ruled him out the first two months of the season. Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Tribune tweeted on Wednesday that the 2011 AL Rookie of the Year will pitch for the High-A Charlotte Stone Crabs.

Hellickson threw 50 pitches in more than three innings this past Monday in his final simulated game before getting the green light to pitch in Charlotte. The 27-year-old, who won the Golden Glove in 2012, had a 3.70 ERA in 576 1/3 career innings at the major league level prior to the surgery in 2014.

He is earning $3.67 million this season after settling an arbitration case this past offseason.

The Rays could use his services, as Tampa Bay's pitchers have a combined 4.13 ERA on the season, good for only 22nd in MLB. Tampa Bay is in last place in the AL East with a 23-37 record.

#rays Hellickson said he will pitch Saturday in Tampa for Class A Charlotte.